WPR: To the Best of our Knowledge - Cognitive Science

Eben Alexander on Near Death Experience

webmaster@wpr.org (Wisconsin Public Radio) — Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Eben Alexander is a neurosurgeon who had a near death experience in 2008. In this NEW and UNCUT audio, he tells the story of his "NDE," and how it's changed his understanding of consciousness and life.

How Dying Changes Us

webmaster@wpr.org (Wisconsin Public Radio) — Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Although people have long been curious about the experience of death, the science of the question is still relatively young.Dutch cardiologist Pim van Lommel is one of the leading near death experience researchers. He says all this time studying death has got him curious about his own end.

Death, Experienced

webmaster@wpr.org (Wisconsin Public Radio) — Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 -0500

And what of those of us who have died, and come back to life?Neurosurgeon Eben Alexander had a near death experience in 2008.

Richard Davidson on the Emotional Brain

webmaster@wpr.org (Wisconsin Public Radio) — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Neuroscientist Richie Davidson has developed an entirely new model for understanding the science of emotions. He talks about this paradigm shift and the personal journey that led to it.

Martha Herbert on "The Autism Revolution"

webmaster@wpr.org (Wisconsin Public Radio) — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Autism's a tricky diagnosis. And its causes are also mysterious. Harvard Medical School neurologist Martha Herbert t advocates a whole-body approach, which looks at environmental toxins, vitamin deficiencies and immune problems.

V.S. Ramachandran on Phantom Limb Syndrome

webmaster@wpr.org (Wisconsin Public Radio) — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Neuroscientist V.S. Ramachandran is renowned for his ability to crack strange neurological mysteries. He tells Steve Paulson about the science behind phantom limb syndrome and his ingenious treatment for it.

Frank Browning on the Dancing Brain

webmaster@wpr.org (Wisconsin Public Radio) — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0500

What happens in your brain when you dance? Frank Browning talks with scientists and choreographers in France and the U.S. about the "dancing brain."

David and Kristen Finch on Asperger diagnosis

webmaster@wpr.org (Wisconsin Public Radio) — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The marriage of David and Kristen Finch was falling apart when Kristen asked Dave to take the "Aspie quiz." It turns out Dave has Asperger Syndrome. They talk about how the diagnosis changed their lives.

Jonah Lehrer on "Imagine: How Creativity Works"

webmaster@wpr.org (Wisconsin Public Radio) — Sun, 1 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Jonah Lehrer talks about his new book, "Imagine: How Creativity Works."

Jonah Lehrer on Creativity

webmaster@wpr.org (Wisconsin Public Radio) — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500

In this UNCUT interview, Jonah Lehrer talks about his new book, “Imagine: How Creativity Works.” Turns out, we can all learn to be more creative.

Narrative Identity 101

webmaster@wpr.org (Wisconsin Public Radio) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600

The evidence is mounting... "we" are mostly who we think we are. Our identities are mental constructs, cobbled together from memory and stories. Jonathan Adler gives us a crash course in narrative identity and mental health.

Gangaji on the True Self

webmaster@wpr.org (Wisconsin Public Radio) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Antoinette Varner says that to truly know our selves, just drop who you think you are, and pay attention to the "I". In this UNCUT interview, Varner - who's also known as Gangaji - talks with Steve Paulson about grappling with narrative identity, and moving beyond it.

Contemplating Our Selves

webmaster@wpr.org (Wisconsin Public Radio) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600

American spiritual teacher Antoinette Varner - also known as Gangaji - says it's possible to transcend our stories about ourselves. She tells Steve Paulson that to truly know yourself, just drop who you think you are, and pay attention to the "I". You can also hear the UNCUT version of this interview here.

You & Your Brain

webmaster@wpr.org (Wisconsin Public Radio) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Neuroscientists say that about a quarter of our mental energy is dedicated to maintaining our narrative identities. Julian Keenan says there's got to be an evolutionary benefit for all that "self".

Forget Your Self

webmaster@wpr.org (Wisconsin Public Radio) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Producer Sara Nics on the story behind this show... how she's tried to come to terms with our narrative selves.

Duncan Watts on Common Sense